Sam Allardyce: 'I'm as good as Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp & Mikel Arteta'
By Tom Gott
New Leeds manager Sam Allardyce has declared himself 'as good as' Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta as he prepares to try and steer his side away from relegation.
Allardyce will replace Javi Gracia for Leeds' final four games of the season against Manchester City, West Ham, Newcastle and Tottenham, with the Yorkshire outfit still in control of their own top-flight fate.
Leeds are 17th in the Premier League table, outside the drop zone only on goal difference and with just a one-point cushion over 19th-placed Everton, leaving them very little room for error over the next four games.
While Allardyce acknowledged the gravity of the task at hand, he was adamant he has the managerial skills to get the job done.
"I might be 68 and look old and antiquated but there's nobody ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta," he said. "It's all there with me. They do what they do and I do what I do.
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"In terms of knowledge, I am not saying I'm better than them but I'm certainly as good as they are."
Allardyce later admitted limited time left in the season does not give him much time to implement his methods, but vowed to give his all to protect Leeds' legacy.
"It was a shock because this time of the season and there are many managers who had changed hands, the most in the history of the Premier League, I thought it was all over for this season," he said of his appointment.
"It was only a couple of minutes before I said yes. Because of the situation, I had to rush through the process quickly so I could be here for at least a reasonable lead into Manchester City.
"I've had a lot of response from many people saying congratulations. A few said I must be mad but I enjoy the game so much.
"To try and save this club and keep it in the Premier League is a big responsibility but one I want to take because of who Leeds are."
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